Sarcoptic mange and cheetah conservation in Masai Mara (Kenya): epidemiological study in a wildlife/livestock system

Abstract

The sanitary control of threatened wild animals is of pivotal interest for their conservation. This task, however, is highly complex in wildlife/livestock systems. In this paper we report findings from a 2-year cross-sectional study of the epidemiology and attempted control of a Sarcoptes mite infestation in the threatened cheetah population in Masai Mara (Kenya), and discuss its interaction with sympatric wild (lion, wildebeest and Thomson's gazelle) and domestic (dog, cattle and sheep) animals. Sarcoptes scabiei was isolated from cheetahs, Thomson's gazelles, wildebeests, lions, cattle, goats and dogs; Psoroptes ovis, on the other hand, was only isolated from sheep. The prevalence study revealed 12·77% infection rates in cheetahs, 4·7% in dogs, 0·8% in Thomson's gazelles, 0·8% in sheep, 0·09% in cattle, and 0·09% in goats, while it opportunistically affected lions and wildebeest. Our study revealed that prevalence of Sarcoptes mite in cheetah population was not associated with the studied geographical blocks, animal sex or the presence of affected domestic animals. Cheetah infection with S. scabiei was associated with the climatic conditions (dry more than wet season) and the balancing between the total number of Thomson's gazelles and the prevalence of infected individuals. Apparently the high prevalence of mangy gazelles has a negative effect on cheetah; this negative effect was reduced when the number of healthy gazelles was increased. Treatment with injectable ivermectin of the clinically affected wild and domestic animals during the first year of this study was associated with much lower incidence of sarcoptic mange during the second year.

The use of radio-collars for monitoring wildlife diseases: a case study from Iberian ibex affected by Sarcoptes scabiei in Sierra Nevada, Spain

“…In the case of S. scabiei , affected animals usually need 2-3 doses of drug (such as ivermectin) with a temporal interval of 2-4 weeks, to guarantee efficient treatment. However, this is impracticable with wild animals, due to climatological, territorial and logistical factors, especially with the elusive species [24]. And hence the radio-collars could be of great help, allowing localizing the animals under treatment whenever is necessary for repeated treatment purpose, or just to observe the efficacy and results of the previous treatment.…”

A review of Sarcoptes scabiei: past, present and future

“…It would seem logical that prey-to-predator transfer and coevolution of the parasite in these predator-prey associations are important in the transfer of S. scabiei between hosts and thus the sharing of a common strain of S. scabiei between prey and predator is very likely. Gakuya et al [84, 85] suggested a prey-to-predator transfer between wild felids and ungulates in Africa.…”

Analysis of Financial Statements for Prediction of Business Sustainability in Rwanda: A Case of Banque Populaire Du Rwanda Ltd

“…This includes a statement of comprehensive income, referred to as a statement of profit or loss, and often also includes a statement cash flow and a statement of changes in equity. Financial statements reflect the financial effects of business data, transactions and events on the entity [5].…”

“…The study conducted a multiple regression analysis so as to determine the regression coefficients (β) which shows that β 0 =1.238 and which means that all the independent variables such as profitability ratios (X 1 ), Liquidity Ratios (X 2 ); Efficiency ratios (X 3 ), Leverage ratios (X 4 ) and Market value ratios (X 5 ) have an a significant contribution in prediction of business sustainability even if the x variable equal to zero means Y=1.238 and the model equation become Y=1.238+ 0.258X 1 +0.367X 2 +0.423X 3 +0.157X 4 +0.345X 5 . Hence, β0=Constant term β (1-5)=represent the model parameters or coefficients; 0.258 as contribution of profitability ratios, .367 as contribution from Liquidity Ratios, .423 contribution of Efficiency ratios, .157 contribution of Leverage ratios and .345 as Market value ratios contribution.…”